The Soul engine

Tiberia was only one planet in one galaxy but it was the military strength of all Corpon. The Tiberian imperium had special clearance to investigate any situations that may lead to a disruption of the delicate balance that reigned in Corpon. This special clearance: laid out in the cooperative accords is what allowed a small ship to land on the planet Korphein unimpeded

Several high ranking members of Korphein security force awaited the occupants of the vessel. They stood in perfect lines at attention. Their perfectly kept uniforms were decorated by medals representing each of their illustrious careers in the Security force. The ramp lowered and a man trotted down the ramp to meet them. The light of the sun brought the blonde highlights in his otherwise brown hair that hung at his shoulders. He wore obviously old boots that seemed to polished and refurbished and black pants with the same treatment. Around his waist hung a utility belt with several pockets and compartments. The shirt he wore underneath his trench coat was a tank top. This man smiled casually upon seeing all of the officials and produced a haloscreen. This screen would project his name, rank and organization he's with. 

The officials relaxed, "This way Comman-" they began. "Just Ace." He interrupted and smiled, "commander is so formal it makes me nervous." He explained. "This way, Ace" they corrected and ushered him to a hovering pad which upon being stepped on, took him directly to the site of the concern. 

The site was a small platform with the object of interest in the middle. To Ace, who was no expert in technology, it looked like a bomb. Exasperated, he pulled a pair of glasses from his pocket. After placing them on his face, the glasses began to scan the object while the glasses connected to its designer, Whiz.  Probably one of the most ornery techs in the entire universe but just as brilliant.  "I was sleeping." Came Whiz tired answer.  

"Hey! There's my favourite techno! Listen, your ultra awesome glasses scanned this...thing and I was wondering how to disarm it." Ace asked while he circled the object. Whiz was silent for quite some time before he responded. Ace had to assume he was either trying to figure out where Ace got the audacity to call him or more optimistically, Whiz was reading the schematics and coming to a decision.

"You don't disarm an engine, you disable it" came Whiz reply.

"This is an engine? what does it run off of?" Ace responded. now he had more questions than answers. Not good.

"Looks like it's harvesting spiritual energy meaning anyone who dies on Korphein their soul is gonna be used for fuel for this machine."

With this information Ace than used another device, a handheld device that was all screen.

"Ace to imperium." he began.

The response was automatic, "this is the imperium. what is the nature of the assignment on Korphein" came back a voice.

"This is not a bomb it is an engine

that seems to be powered by the souls of the recently dead"

There was a long silence before the voice answered. "Is there a way to disable the device?"

Tiberians, they never fail to be right to the point.

Ace made a sound at Whiz who answered for him. "the engine is complex but it does have an off switch like all other engines. However, this could cause a meltdown of sorts."

"Elaborate." replied the voice.

"The engine could explode and

release all of those spirits which could create a mass of vengeful spirits due to them not waking up in their given afterlife." Whiz explained.

Again there was a silence, "disable it anyway you can safely." The line went dead and Ace scoffed.

"No, I think I might throw it over the ledge, maybe beat it with a hammer! I got an idea! How bout I shoot it!" he raved as he paced like a trapped animal. "don't shoot it. there's a tube that seems to be part of its cooling system. according to what I've seen, disconnecting it will cause it to overheat and shut down." Whiz instructed, "and yes I know I'm a genius."

Ace strolled around the engine, examining different parts trying to find the tube Whiz described. When he finally found it he began to unscrew it and that is the last thing he saw for a whole two minutes.

A golden ray burst through the clouds engulfing the engine and half of Aces body in its light.

Upon subsiding it left the lower half of Aces body, his waist cauterized. The engine itself seemed to have been destroyed. The Security force stood with their mouths agape while the dust under Aces lower half seemed to rise and to rapidly rebuild his spine and other bones.

His muscular system and skin being regenerated right behind the regenerating bone.

Soon only his head remained the only thing not fully regenerated, his mouth hanging open with a scream gaining volume as his vocals regenerated.

He was well built and covered in sweat.

Finally, he let out a full scream than an angry yell.

The Security force of Korphein were too shocked to even comment at the events. Ace pivoted around several times, first to the left than to the right than sighed.

"So, short version I'm an immortal as far as I know. Also that beam hurt immensely."

After being eviscerated by a beam and losing the engine Ace boarded his ship and departed for the capital planet of the Tiberian empire, Tiberia.

Before leaving the ship to report to Golden Eye, the commanding officer of the special investigations and espionage unit.

In other words, Golden Eye was a spymaster.

Ace sent a message to Whiz to scan the ray and send a report when he could. Hopefully, the findings will be favorable.

Ace found Golden Eye in the arena where he was overseeing a training exercise of eight students. From what Ace could tell they were all talented but none were Tiberian. it was surprising but not unheard of.

"Ah! Ace! come. sit." came Golden Eyes soft voice from a sit. His one Golden Eye shining from behind his curtain of silver hair.

Ace sat and watched the young kids practice.

"The engine. destroyed?" came Golden Eyes silk voice. that voice that made him sound like he was a kitsune, talking a fisherman out of his fish.

Ace shook his head, no that machine was teleported off planet. His gut was telling him this and his gut was never wrong.

"No. I think it was teleported just waiting on confirmation."

Golden Eye nodded, "you can't do this alone. you need a team."

Ace nodded. He'd have to assemble a highly skilled and deadly team that could-

His thoughts were cut short by Golden Eyes next words.

"Meet your new team" Golden Eye said gesturing toward the teens.

Ace stared out at the teens. This was crazy. Him in charge of a team of youngsters?

"Oh great. we're all gonna die."